How the mafia allegedly infiltrated Canadian banks

Plus, the temporary foreign worker program and banned Palestinian kaffiyehs [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Canada Child Benefit payments will drop Friday. [Here’s what parents can expect](. Here’s the latest on a mafia’s alleged infiltration of Canadian banks, an incoming temporary foreign worker program and a ban on Palestinian kaffiyehs in the Ontario legislature. DON’T MISS Susan Kao/The Star investigation [How Italy’s 'Ndrangheta mafia allegedly infiltrated Canadian banks]( Alleged mob boss Angelo Figliomeni wanted answers after an associate made a smaller than expected deposit into his RBC account. “Tell me why?” he said to his alleged inside man at the bank branch. “Three days short, cause it was February checks,” the bank’s client care manager replied, not knowing police were listening in. In 2017, York police launched an investigation targeting Figliomeni and his associates. It would have been “the biggest mafia takedown” in their history, but because police listened to calls between defendants and their lawyers, the charges were stayed and the details of the groups’ alleged abuse of financial institutions were never aired publicly. [Now, a joint investigation reveals how two major Canadian banks were allegedly infiltrated by the 'Ndrangheta mafia](. - Wait, what? Figliomeni is the suspected leader of a powerful GTA faction of the 'Ndrangheta, a violent and secretive organization with a reach across the globe from its base in southern Italy. - Go deeper: In addition to the client care manager at RBC, reporters in the investigation found evidence that Figliomeni’s associates had contact with two TD Bank employees. Canadian Press/Nathan Denette star exclusive [Inside Canada’s plan to overhaul its temporary foreign worker program]( Slated to take effect next year, the federal government’s new temporary foreign worker program would cover more year-round occupations in agriculture and food processing, while allowing migrant workers to change employers within the same industry to avoid being tied to a potentially exploitative workplace, according to a copy of the proposal obtained by the Star. It would also reduce four existing worker streams to two. While the changes could simplify the regime, advocates say they won’t necessarily bolster protections for migrants’ rights, Nicholas Keung reports. [Though the details of the plan have yet to be finalized, here’s what the key features are “likely” to include](. - Context: Canadian farm owners, fisheries and food processing companies have faced chronic labour shortages and rely on foreign workers to fill jobs that tend to be physically demanding, sometimes seasonal and located in rural and remote areas. - More: “Any new program must guarantee that migrant workers can protect themselves against exploitation and abuse, and that’s only possible if they have permanent resident status,” said Syed Hussan, executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change. Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey ontario politics [Palestinian kaffiyehs have been banned in the Ontario legislature —  Doug Ford is calling for a reversal]( Speaker Ted Arnott has banned Palestinian kaffiyehs from being worn by anyone in the Ontario legislature, whether MPPs or guests, saying the scarves make an “overt political statement.” But his decision has faced swift pushback — from NDP Leader Marit Stiles, as well as from Doug Ford and Bonnie Crombie after the Star reported the story. “I do not support his decision as it needlessly divides the people of our province,” the premier said Wednesday. “I call on the Speaker to reverse his decision immediately.” [These are the conversations taking place around the scarf](. - Context: The Palestinian kaffiyeh has gained visibility in recent months, recognizable at rallies around the world. [Here’s what you need to know about the traditional garment](. - Word from the NDP: “The assembly has always permitted members, staff and guests to openly celebrate their culture, including wearing traditional clothing that represents their history, culture or faith, and I don’t believe it is your intention to change that precedent,” Stiles wrote to Arnott last Friday. [Calendar icon] Are our messages a little late for you lately? Emails from the Star are taking longer than normal to arrive to Gmail and Hotmail inboxes after we send them. That's a problem we're solving now, but we're sorry for keeping you waiting. WHAT ELSE [Here’s why the Trudeau government is getting an angry reception]( as it promotes the federal budget. Umar Zameer’s defence lawyer [urged a jury to acquit Zameer of all charges in the death of Const. Northrup](. [Ottawa says it will give more Canadians the rural carbon rebate]( promising to redefine “rural” under the policy. Real estate investors and cottage owners could be [hit with a bigger tax bill following Ottawa's capital gains change](. [A GTA man’s human trafficking charges have been tossed — for the second time this year]( — over Toronto’s chronic judge shortage. How is bird flu spreading in dairy cattle? Here’s where the clues are pointing — [and what it could mean for Canada](. [A York Regional Police officer was caught on video using his phone while driving]( in a “hypocritical act.” [Toronto drivers will face stiffer traffic fines this summer]( after council approved new “Goldilocks” hikes. A city-led Toronto food hall closed abruptly after all its vendors were evicted. [Now it’s getting a second chance](. [Microplastics can travel to the brain and other vital organs after ingestion]( a new study has found. POV Dreamstime Photo [Filing taxes can be a life-changing first step out of poverty for Canadians.]( CLOSE-UP Richard Lautens/The Star BRAMPTON: Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah speaks alongside investigators, in front of the truck used for a massive robbery at Pearson airport. [Here’s how police cracked the case of what they say is the largest gold heist in Canadian history](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_212450). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Get full digital and ePaper access Limited time sale: Only 17¢/day — save 50% your first year [Get This Offer]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. 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